Published on 15 December 2022

Promethazine Vs Zopiclone: Difference, Similarity

Zopiclone (Imovane) promethazine-vs-zopiclone
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Sleeping difficulty is widespread among all adults due to their poor socioeconomic status, stressful environment, Poor family outcomes, loss of a loved one, and sudden illness.

To treat sleep difficulties, there are many drugs available. The drug zopiclone is one of the most effective medications to treat insomnia. On the other hand, people with poor immune systems are more likely to cause foreign substances like dust and pollen, which will cause an allergic reaction.

Promethazine will help you treat allergic reactions and sleep issues. Both drugs belong to the central nervous depressants group, which helps treat insomnia patients. Let us see more about the drugs in detail below.

What Is Zopiclone?

Zopiclone is a medication that belongs to the group of benzodiazepines. It is used in the treatment of patients who have insomnia. It is shortly described as a sleeping pill; it will help reduce your wake time and increase your sleeping duration at night.

It was available in the 1980s and got approved in many places worldwide. Any person directly without a prescription cannot buy Zopiclone because it is a controlled substance. It is available under the brand name Imovane. Adults over 18 years can take the drug. 

What is Promethazine?

Promethazine is a medication used to treat allergic reactions like hives, skin rashes, itching, nausea, insomnia, motion sickness, sedation, etc. The drug belongs to the class of Antihistamine agents.

It is available under the brand name Phenergan and is promoted. The drug is not approved for use by people under two years.

How Does Zopiclone Work?

Zopiclone belongs to the class of Non-benzodiazepines group. It is a sedative that works on the brain's neurotransmitter Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA). The drug is a sleeping pill used for patients with sleeping disorders. The neurotransmitter or natural body chemical works between the nerve cells. The GABA cells produce the Nerve cells, a calming agent which will induce you to sleep, help reduce Anxiety and cause muscle relaxation.

When Zopiclone works effectively in the central nervous system, it calms the brain and allows you to sleep peacefully. Zopiclone stays in your system for up to 49 to 58 hours.

How Does Promethazine Work?

Promethazine is a group of drugs belonging to phenothiazine properties. These drugs usually work under similar conditions. The drugs prevent the natural substance called histamine from innate cells occurring in the body. The histamine effects will be released when you are usually exposed to allergies, pollen, chemicals, etc.

The drugs used to prevent and release the histamine substance. It makes you sleepy or drowsy and helps in controlling pain caused due to allergies. The medication usually stimulates histamine, regulates wakefulness, and makes you alert.

Safety measures before consuming- Precaution

Medications treat your health conditions and make you live healthier by preventing illness. So there will be both positive and negative sides to the drug, so it is better to know about the drug precautions. Please consult your doctor about your health conditions, ask for a routine, and Inform them what drugs you use. This will help your doctor to analyze. Moreover, when precautions are not followed, it will result in adverse reactions to your health.

ZopicloneSafety measures

Do not consume this drug; if you have any
Symptoms of allergic reactions due to the drug ingredients present in the medication.
Some allergic signs include

  • rashes,
  • swallowing,
  • breathing issues, and
  • swelling in lips, face, or tongue.

Any muscle weakness that can cause severe conditions like myasthenia gravis. If you are having any lung issues because the drug finds it difficult to pass and causes any trouble breathing (for example ) slow breathing during the night, consult your doctor.

Any liver problem, if you have any sudden experience of sleepwalking during the night or unusual behavior like eating, driving, or making phone calls after taking the drug, you should talk with the doctor immediately.

Promethazine Safety measures

Talk to your doctor immediately if you face any symptoms below. The drug has several warnings, such as,

People with angle-closure glaucoma: Angle-closure glaucoma is called increased pressure in the eye. If you have any history of glaucoma and taking the drug will cause increased pain in the eye pressure, this may lead to vision loss before taking the medication.

People with enlarged prostate: Urinating would be challenging due to the enlarged prostate gland.

People with stomach problems: Having any history of digestive tract issues and taking the drug will lead to the drug's slow absorption.

People with bone marrow: The drug decreases platelets and white blood cells, so the drug is not indicated for people with bone marrow.

People with heart disease: If you have any history of heart disease, It may lead to abnormal rhythmic function.

People with liver disease: If you have any liver issues, the drug will find it difficult to break down quickly.

People with seizure: The chances of drugs increasing the risk of stroke is high.

Pregnant women: If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, avoid it or take guidance.

Breastfeeding: The drug may pass into the breast milk, affecting your newborn.

Alcohol interaction leads to increased drowsiness, and drinking alcohol will make it so long and Exhausting that people avoid drinking alcohol while taking the drug.

Effects that you may encounter- Side effects

Side effects are common reactions due to the drug's effectiveness at the starting stage. It will go on its own in a few days, but if you are facing side Effects for more than a week, which is troubling, you should get medical help. Some of the common side effects are listed below.

Promethazine Side Effects Zopiclone Side Effects
Double vision Restlessness
Drowsiness Drowsiness
Dizziness Slower breathing
Hallucination Muscle weakness
Nosebleed Itchiness
Breathing difficulty Hallucinations
Swelling in the face Allergic reactions
Nervousness Vomiting

Does the medicine belong to a Controlled substance?

A controlled substance is derived from a drug or medical compound with addictive or abusive properties. This applies to the drug, its use, storage, and distribution. Some controlled substances are opioids, stimulants, depressants, anabolic steroids, etc.

While taking controlled substance drugs, take your medication with proper instructions, follow your health care provider's advice, read the label given below the instructions, and store the medicine away from dust, moisture, and expiry date before using.

Moreover, taking the drug without proper medical advice will impact your health, like worsening your present condition, so be aware and follow the rules and regulations.

Zopiclone is a controlled substance in the United States, like Brazil, Japan, and some European countries. Zopiclone is known as a Z drug and belongs to the everyday groups. It is recommended to use only for a short-term period, not more than months. It is illegal to buy without a prescription, but in other countries, it is not available off-label; in the USA.

Promethazine is not a controlled substance; it treats allergic reactions and nausea. It is a natural body substance and helps eliminate chemical reactions. Consult your doctor before using the drug.

The commonality between Zopiclone and Promethazine

There are many everyday things between these two drugs. As the medicines are used for similar conditions, the commonality between the two is as follows:

  • Zopiclone and Promethazine belong to the CNS depressants group;
  • Both drugs effectively treat sleeping difficulty. The drug's chemical reaction will help to induce sleep; consuming both drugs simultaneously will lead to severe drowsiness, dizziness, and tiredness.
  • Promethazine is used to treat insomnia and vomiting during pregnancy. Moreover, the drug has the properties of a Phenothiazine derivative with antihistamines agents, which helps in allergic reactions, so it is available for insomnia.
  • Using Off label drugs is not always safe. It may cause serious side effects due to reactions.

Which is more effective: Promethazine vs. Zopiclone

When comparing the drug effectiveness, a study was taken among the users; each individual reported their outcome to the drugs. For one user with insomnia for the past six months, the doctor advised using Promethazine daily due to the severity rate. The only issue is the drug takes time to kick into your system. Hence the other drug, Zopiclone 7.5mg, will help with insomnia, yes, it does, but it takes time due to the lower dose.

Many people prefer to choose Promethazine due to the higher dosage. When it comes to effectiveness, it depends on the drug dosage you are consuming. So for better results, consulting a doctor is your best choice.

Interaction with Individual Drugs:

Drug interaction is when two medicines are consumed at the same time and due to which the drug's working pattern changes. Sometimes, it causes serious illness to your health, so before taking two medicines that interact with each other, you should get a consultation from a doctor about your health history and what medication you are taking currently.

Zopiclone interaction:

Taking Zopiclone with the following drugs will increase the effect of adverse reactions such as

  • Antipsychotic drugs
  • Medicine for Depression
  • Anticonvulsants drugs
  • Hypnotics drugs
  • Anesthetic drugs
  • Narcotic drugs like codeine, methadone, and tramadol.

Promethazine interaction:

Promethazine can interact with other medications like vitamins and Herbs you are taking. You should manage all the medication carefully with the help of your doctor; here are some of the top interactive medicines that shouldn't be taken with Promethazine.

  • Allergy drugs: Carbinoxamine, Chlorpheniramine, Clemastine, and Diphenhydramine
  • Anti-Depression Drugs: Isocarboxazid, phenelzine, amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Imipramine, Doxepin, and Nortriptyline
  • Anxiety drug: Alprazolam, clonazepam, oxazepam, Diazepam, and lorazepam
  • Muscle relaxant drugs: Carisoprodol, metaxalone, dantrolene, methocarbamol
  • Pain Medication: Codeine, tramadol, and methadone.
  • Avoid taking the drug phenobarbital with Promethazine.

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

So far, we understand the drug working system to treat different conditions. One Zopiclone is effective in treating insomnia, and another, Promethazine, is used to treat allergic reactions, insomnia, etc.

While consuming both drugs, use them with caution to avoid adverse reactions because both have the properties of central nervous depressant, making you feel exhausted, tired, etc. It is always advised to contact your doctor for the ins and outs of the medicine according to the medical condition; the dosage might change.